Premium Vodka: Can you really tell the difference?
 

I never really drank for flavor, I drank for effect. The economics of it was just stupid to me to pay extra for it so I never did. I won't say that I didn't enjoy it from time to time, but I never bothered to elevate my drinking to that level for regular drinking. As far as I was concerned the speed rack had what I needed especially for vodka.

and I can not tell the difference, can you?

The first time I ever had grey goose was at a club in college. I heard that it was the best and being a vodka man (only after Tequila) I decided to buy me & a few friends a shot. I purchased 3 shots at $10 each and nearly spit the stuff out. That was the first & the last time I've ever tasted that crap. I know people that to this day only drink the high dollar crap because they fall victim to the marketing and image of premium liquors. I've long since given up on that when I discovered that bikini clad women don't come out in droves when you drink certain kinds of alcohol :(.

If I ever drink it with just lime I do like Kettle One a little better. Other than that it just seems like a waste. I'd rather spend more money on single malt scotch or really good bourbon. Most vodka is mixed and then who can tell the difference?

There's a brand of bourbon called Evan Williams. I used to ask people to pick the difference between that and JD. Few could ever tell the difference yet one is dirt cheap!

Guccilvr is gonna have a field day with this...

i can't tell the difference. Doesn't help that I don't particularly like vodka.

Having done a test one time of four types of vodka, I can assert with confidence that, yes, I can tell the difference!

I don't enjoy vodka straight. So there's no reason for me to shell out for top end. Smirnoff is fine for me.

Premium drinks have made me a lot of money, so I can't knock 'em. :) I agree with the Wall Street Journal - when drinking a mixer, use the well brand (except Tequila perhaps). If it's straight, drink something nice or simply to your taste.

[QUOTE=Cynthetiq]I never really drank for flavor, I drank for effect.../QUOTE]


I don't have scientifically valid testing, just my trial and error tasting, tasting too much and observing the effects. But my strong impression is that if I drink vodka that is multi-filtered, the more filtered the less side effects/hangover and the "cleaner" the taste. As far as I've noticed, most vodkas are about triple filtered; some are quadruple filtered; a few are quintuple filtered. E.g., Skyy is filtered four or five times. Anyway, this relatively cheap Russian vodka called Russiya is quintuple filtered and I think it tastes smoother and cleaner and has noticeably less after-effects/hangovers in case of a rare overindulgence.

I don't know if anyone here knows for sure, but I sort of recall reading but not sure where, that the filtering removes "glycols" which are a component in all vodkas; with less of these glycols many people perceive a smoother taste, plus less of the negative after-effects.

I read this article a bit ago, I just don't buy it. When talking about a sample size for scientific studies... six isn't even on the radar. 600? 6000? Okay, let's talk. But six?

Nevermind the test was administered by a restaurant "cocktail director" and didn't appear to have setup any way for people to return to a neutral state in between drinks.

This is published as news. Wow.

I drink Thor's Hammer Vodka because it has a big Thor's Hammer on it, and for no reason other than that. Hell, I don't even like vodka that much...

It wasn't publised as a scientific study. It was just a segment. News? No more news than Lindsay Lohan passed out on the seat the other day.

But the real question isn't the sample size or if it's scientific, it is if YOU can tell the difference.

rofl, you win! :thumbsup:

That's kinda funny. I don't know much about vodka, but debaser's reasoning is fine with me. However, when it comes to whisky and bourbon, there is a vast number of ingredients involved and the variations of which make it easy to tell one brand from the other.

At least with Lindsay Lohan passing out on the seat, that actually had to happen. If it didn't happen and it's published as news - correct me if I'm wrong - but they can be sued.

No, I don't think anyone can be sued here. Companies who make premium vodka might be pissed. Who's to say whether or not it really tastes better?

On that point Bose speakers in tiny little boxes don't sound good either. But their marketing has the majority believing Bose is "high end audio."

Just as acoustical engineering dictates a complete spectrum of sound is reproduced by a typical driver complement, well-designed crossover, and engineered box, I'd say things like extra passes of filtering for vodka do result in a high quality product.

Now whether or you can hear or taste the difference... well that is of utmost importance.

I can tell the difference. But that's mainly after years of partying too hard and getting sick off cheap vodka. Now, if I have a shot of the cheap stuff I gag. I tend to make mixed drinks stiff, so even in a screwdriver, vodka-tonic or bloody mary I can tell if it's cheap vodka.

Cheap vodka is the only alcohol I will turn down a free drink of.

Yeah I saw this test on 20/20. Very interesting. It's best to go with what you like I guess. I doubt I could tell the difference. If I buy vodka, it would usually be Smirnoff anyways. It is amusing though, how we fall prey to marketing and status. Drink up!

Bose = "high end audio"

I shudder at that thought.

wow, you can talk around the simplest of questions but can't answer it.

Can you tell the difference?

and with Halx, I agree, I can tell the difference with bourbon and whiskey.

I don't drink all that much these days...

However, back in the day I tended to drink more for effect. So, when it came to hard liquor (hell, any liquor, eh?), I followed the broke-ass drunk plan: what's the least amount of money I can spend while still getting really fucked up. Even when I had the money to spend, I still liked the cheap stuff because most times I couldn't tell a difference.

How did you know? :D


Hello, my name is Guccilvr, and I'm a vodka snob. and proud of it!

These people must be amateurs. You can line up any vodka of your choice and I will tell you which is which. Didn't Myth Busters do a segment similar to this??

Ketal One is my preferred as it has a distinct flavor and little aftertaste. I was a Belvedere snob until I drank a bottle of Ketal. Smirnoff/Absolute/Aristocrap are crap. I've been drinking vodka for about 14 years as my drink of choice and it's pretty easy to tell the difference. Of course, I wasn't a fan of Grey Goose being bought out by Bacardi from Sidney Frank (of Jagermeister fame) but hell good vodka is good vodka.

Cheap vodka is notorious for increased hang-overs and just a general shitty taste. I don't mind spending $40 for a Ketal One when it's what I enjoy. If a person enjoys "thor's hammer" or "gordon's" or whatever cheap brand then by all means enjoy it.. it leaves more good stuff for me :D

I have a feeling the people who were tasters were pansies used to watered down vodka or flavored vodka martini's.

The thing about alcohol is that it kills taste, at least for me. Then there's the issue that I don't have a particularly well-developed sense of smell (if there were an analogy of glasses for your nose, I would need them), and hard alcohol definitely dulls that sense quickly for me.

What I really notice is how I feel the next day when I drink cheap versus expensive. With expensive anything (with the exception of wine), I always feel better the next day.

I'm sure someone like gucci could distinguish between Ketel One and Hawkeye (bottled in Marshalltown, IA!).

I do enjoy drinking vodka straight and I can tell a difference. I usually buy Smirnoff for drinking straight. I'll only buy Skyy for mixed drinks. Stolichnaya is good, but in my opinion doesn't justify the extra cost. Grey Goose is overpriced.

The best vodka I ever had was in Russia. I don't know what it was called because I just left it up to the Russians I was with to pick what they drink (I only recommend that if you trust the Russians you are with), but damn was that stuff smooth. Then I matched them for somewhere between 8 to 11 shots (I lost count somewhere), and then walked unassisted on frozen ice covered sidewalks. As an American on his first trip in Russia, I think I earned the respect of a few Russians that night.

As someone who usually only drinks Vodka with Redbull, and then only to keep the tears at bay for another evening, I don't care.

People that tell me that pepsi is better than coke, or a big mac is far superior to a whopper are dicks. I don't care for your opinions, nor do I wish to entertain the chance that you might be right, because you are not.

Sheeple who listen to ABCNEWS, or their friend down the hall deserve whatever they get. If you like something that costs $50, it does not make you any more or less right or wrong than someone who likes the $20 variant. And this notion that you cannot tell the difference is forfeit. They even said in their article that you are paying for the bottle, for the "Effect". So let them.

I don't know why I am angry about this, so don't ask.

Who said anything about cheap? I'm doubly a chump for not only buying it for the bottle, but paying as much as I did to boot...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...ser/Mjlnir.jpg

I did answer your question:
re: "wow, you can talk around the simplest of questions but can't answer it."
My god, why do I get such flak from the mods around here? Is it wrong of me to express my opinions or to defend myself? As far as I can tell in both cases I have broken no rule, yet get directed harassment. I've been around since 00 or 01, never have I seen it like this. (It's no one but the mods either)

Morale of the story is I'll go back to lurking and thanking people for their contributions where I won't be attacked. No PMs necessary, I've learned my lesson.

Hope everyone has a good day, drink what you enjoy drinking =D

it's obvious from the "study" that people can tell there are differences between them (perhaps because they know they are supposed to be able to, because they know the drill up front) but have in some cases trouble matching particular qualities to particular brands. to which the reponse "duh" seems in order, followed quickly by "so what?"

so what did we learn?
that price does not index quality. well, duh.
that some folk like to act as though the opposite was the case. well duh again.
that people consume some things as status markers---you dont say. thank fucking christ 20/20 was on the case to point out this one. who knew?

what do we learn nothing about? well, vodka for one thing. and then everything else. we do not, in the end, learn shit. thank christ 20/20 is on the case. those crack journalists never let you down.

it must have been a slow night on the "lets not think about anything terribly complex" news front.

why is this interesting?

Having suffered the after-effects of cheap vodka, I actually taught myself to recognize the cheaper ones. Skyy actually doesn't give me a headache, which is bizarre... and Grey Goose tears up my stomach. There's something about the strength and timbre of the aroma along with bitterness in tast is what I look for. Because at least for me, that's telling me what I'm going to feel like tomorrow. basement vodka tastes and smells like ass.

For the record, I'll turn down a drink with Belvedere in favor of Skyy 90, which we just discovered last weekend. Much to the chagrin of the local rednecks. And my bank account, being the reformed Smirnoff drinker that I am. Skyy 90 is my new favorite.

doubleaught, this is a VERY cliquish board!
Try not to take it personally.

AND GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!

It's not wrong, and you haven't broken any rules. Maybe you were just unexpectedly verbose? :)

You're right in the end though... It's your money, so drink what pleases you, whether that's because it is the "best", the most expensive, or what is socially chic.

Chalk me up as one who can't really taste the difference - not even in wine, whiskey, scotch, and bourbon. It's all a little overpowering.

One other thing - I wish you'd stick around and keep posting.

Sorry, I just consider $18/750ml cheap ;)


I didn't mean any harm by the statement.. you know.. I'm just a vodka snob.. what do I know :lol

Vodka makes me angry too.

What's the real difference between one poison and another? The last time I switched types it was going from 80 to 100proof. (Smirnoff)

I find that the more expensive kinds give me a hangover unrelated to the extra expense.

Not too much of a surprise really, although from personal experience as long as it's higher end then Popov or store brand I really can't tell. Now rum, that there's my drink of choice.

My apologies, but it didn't seem like an answer to me where I was looking for a simple yes or no answer.

Doesn't inform me easily that you can tell the difference. What it means to me is that you believe the marketing machine.

Please also remember that there is not tone, body language, or any other normal communicative cues on forums, there is just text.

Oh. You see I consider $5 a fifth to be cheap vodka. Mmmm, good old Military Special. May not be the best vodka, but it sure does strip chrome off of bumpers...

I can't tell an overt difference between most premium vodka, but i can sure tell the difference between that and cheap stuff.

Edit: i just realised i have over 3 litres of vodka dotted around my desk (i had a tidy and couldn't find an immediate place to put them), i better clear them away before my family gets the wrong idea:thumbsup:

Tanqueray Sterling is good. Except that it costs too much.:expressionless:

I can only taste the difference between REALLY cheap stuff and everything else. If it doesn't taste like rubbing alcohol then it's all the same to me.

I apparently don't have very refined taste buds.

Most times, a corndog tastes just about as good to me as a five course meal staring with a delicate cobb salad sprinkled with bleu cheese, pan-seared chicken, garnished with a side of steamed vegetables and drizzled with a light vinaigrette. Food all tastes relatively similar, within about two or three categories. Really bad, average, really good. Very seldom does something does something deviate from just being average - about the same as any other food I could eat.

Because of this, I could never (and still never) understand people who put ridiculous effort into cooking, making, or purchasing expensive "gourmet meals." Everything I eat turns to shit, anyway.

Alcohol is the same way. It's either really bitter and hard to drink, average, or amazing. I've never found an alcohol that was absolutely amazing, and most are just average. I don't believe people who claim to be able to tell the difference between a $18 and a $60 bottle, because they're probably both in the "average" category to me.

And because I don't taste it, I don't believe anyone else can. So anyone claiming to be able to taste a difference.. you're a liar. :D

Yeah, that's pretty much how I am too. Cheap vodka scares me. But I'm not really into vodkas anyway...

There is a pleasure to be had from cooking a nice meal.. It's like a craft thing; it's enjoyable to go through the process and produce something nice sometimes.

Well, it doesn't have to start out as shit in your mouth. :rolleyes: :lol:

I'd almost buy that, but if I work dilligently on the craft of making a model airplane, I don't immediately dissolve it a vat of acid the moment after it's completion, rendering it into nothing more than an oozing paste.

That's what you do with cooking - you destroy your beautiful (and arguably tasty) craft immediately after completion. In some cases, you spend all your time on making it and OTHER people destroy it.

I suppose it's a discussion for another thread.. it just seems so frivolous.

I'd pick a different word that frivolous but I get the idea you are transmitting. Baking a nice cake for your girlfriend, wife, family that they really gets a kick out of has some merit there. I'd call it "too much work for too little return" or not enough value for the work put in. For me that example eating crabs.

Ah, but when it's your partner who is crafting and you are the one destroying it (as would be the case with me and ktspktsp)... well, no biggie right? He gets to enjoy making the meal, and I eat whatever he makes. I don't have a need for any kind of complicated food, but hell... food is food! I eat it. :) And wash the dishes afterward. :D

I disagree with the notion that you are "destroying" the craft... and so I offer you a little comparison.

First, say you have made some sort of non-edible, but also non-functioning craft... some kind of decoration you plan to put on your fireplace mantle. So you finish making it and then what? You set it nicely on the mantle and that's about it. You occassionally look at it and recall the time spent making it or perhaps someone asks about it and you tell them the story behind it... but the point is, you typically would only enjoy it using your sense of sight.

Now, say I have cooked a high-quality meal... in both taste and presentation. Regardless of who else eats it besides me, I get to savor my craft through no fewer than 3 senses... smell, taste, sight... and also arguably touch. Granted, the decoration will have a longer lifespan... but there is something to be said for my craft stimulating multiple senses during its lifespan, wouldn't you agree?

Not to mention the entertainment value a meal possesses... the conversation during my meal, in my opinion, has much greater potential then the conversation regarding your decoration.

By eating the beautiful food prepared with love, you are completing the craft, not destroying it.

Unlike the Valentine's Day card I made for my boyfriend (later husband) out of construction paper and conversation hearts. He opened it, read it, smiled hugely and hugged me...and proceeded to pick the candy off the paper (it was friggin' *glued* on) and eat it.

Now *that* is destroying, lol! I was horrified and dismayed.

"Food" is created and bought and prepared in order to (most pleasurably) become (NO I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT). A delicious meal is always worth the price of admission, despite the outcome.

I thought this thread was about vodka.

Same here, I drink for the effect of it all mostly. And to tell you the truth I can't tell the difference either. I'm sure the cheaper the Vodka (or any Liquor for that matter) the harsher it will be, but it's all going to do the same thing in the end anyway. :thumbsup:

Just a thought: How does liking something more expensive make one a vodka snob? I understand the premise of liking more expensive things makes one a "snob". But wouldn't sticking with your favourite brand, no matter cost or status make one equally snobby? Like you have your fave, don't like the others, think it's the best because you like it, etc. I dunno, I just got to thinking and that's what I thought I guess. Like me for example, I will drink Smirnoff if drinking vodka (which is rare, because I like beer, no I LOVE beer) and I don't drink other vodka's, so wouldn't I be snobby to the other kinds of vodka? I dunno, I think too much maybe hehe. Either way, we like what we like so let's drink!

I prefer rum, but Smirnoff is just as good as Grey Goose to me.

That is an interesting point... does the product really have to be more expensive to imply snobbery? Everyone has a preference... and someone's preference for a cheaper brand could be just as strong as another person's preference for a top-shelf brand. For example, a guy I worked with once would ONLY allow Budweiser in his house. In cans. There were no exceptions to this rule, even if someone brought over some Guinness or Samuel Adams as a gift. I think most people would label this man "stubborn", if anything... but if he had the same mentality only with say, Corona... people would probably be more inclined to label him a "snob".

One time I was talking to a girl at a club. I asked her what she was drinking and she replied, "Grey Goose and cranberry." I walked to the bar with her and asked the bartender for a vodka/cranberry, and she butts in with, "no... Grey Goose and cranberry." So he started to make her drink while she watched him, making sure he used her beloved GG. I don't know what happened next... I got the hell away from her. :)

I like Absolut more that Grey Goose, but I don't know if that suggests I know the difference between the expensive stuff and the slightly less expensive stuff. I just happen to know which I prefer. I could probably give you some idea as the the brand if I tried a few different ones, but I'd get really shit faced and crash your Miata....so we won't do that.

I would like to consider myself a vodka snob in training. I have been a victim of Skyy, Smirnoff, Potter's, HRD, and a few others. I always prefer a top shelf vodka, except Grey Goose. I was very surprised by it.. I always had the impression it was very good, but when I opened my bottle I had the same reaction as the testers in the article. Luckily there was a big Grey Goose fan at our party that night, so I gave him some and mixed the rest with juices.

I do have favorites, but my opinions could be influenced.. I loved my first bottle of Ketel One, I think I thought it was very plain and was what I thought vodka was supposed to be, but I got hammered that night so.. I also like Ciroc, I don't know how big a brand that is. It comes in a very pretty bottle and is distilled from grapes. That could have influenced my opinion but I've always enjoyed it straight, neat or on the rocks. I recently read about a new premium fancy pants brand, Meydoyeff, and it happened to be located in my town so I tried it out. It reminded me of my impressions of Ketel One, and I like to drink it by itself too.

For those who can't tell the difference between cheap and expensive, I have an experiment for you. I've done this with Potter's and HRD vodka (super cheap brands) and I'm surprised/scared by the results. Buy a bottle of some crappy vodka and buy a water filter pitcher (Brita, Pur). Pour half of the vodka into another container, then pour the rest into the filter pitcher and wait for it to go through. Now pour yourself a shot of each and try sipping. I've found a very noticeable difference. The filtered vodka is far from good, but it's much better than the harsh sting from the unfiltered. I don't know what exactly is cleaned out, but.. that's kinda gross. If you really don't care about your vodka, maybe you can use this trick for your next screwdriver or other vodka drink you prefer..